Come to my window: Microsoft launches mobile video downloads

Microsoft launches its new MSN Video Downloads service. Will the prospect of …

Today, Microsoft unveiled its MSN Video Downloads service offering television programming, music and video clips, and other digital content for download to Windows Mobile-powered SmartPhones, Pocket PCs, and Portable Media Centers. Drawing on specially-formatted content from partners such as The Food Network, FOX Sports, and MTV Networks, the service is one of the first online video download services dedicated to portable entertainment. While the initial lineup might leave something to be desired, Microsoft has announced plans to include additional content partners as the service expands.

"Today's announcement solidifies the continued momentum we've seen for portable video," John Pollard, Microsoft's director of Windows Mobile Applications, said in a statement. "With content from some of the most recognized brands in entertainment, MSN Video Downloads (allows) people to take their favorite television shows with them (wherever) they are."

While a limited amount of content is available freely on the site, a $19.95 annual fee allows US-based subscribers full access to all available videos and content. Subscribers can select specific content to be downloaded daily to their PC, where it can then be synchronized with a mobile device using Windows Media Player 10. All content will be download-to-own, managed using Windows Media Digital Rights 10 and complying with Microsoft's PlaysForSure program.

Others poised on the brink of their own mobile offerings will be watching Microsoft's foray into download-to-own mobile video. MTV Networks, now a content partner in the new service, and VH1 got out of similar ventures back in the dot-boom days, to their benefit. Whether mobile video is an idea whose time has come or if it will continue to be a niche opportunity remains to be seen.